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043: Mates

Author: Bee Diaz
last update Last Updated: 2025-11-18 19:07:06

RYDER

Mate.

My mate.

Mine.

I stared into Aria's face in disbelief. She was my mate. Everything makes so much sense now—the realization settles over me like the warmest blanket on the coldest winter night. It's like I've always known the truth and it was just buried so deep inside of me that I couldn't reach it.

But it's staring me in the eye now.

The look on her face mirrors mine. I'm sure of it. The world around us blurs and she's the only one I focus on. I forget Nadia. The game I should be heading to. Ray Laws. The pack. My father. None of it matters compared to this blissfully perfect moment.

My wolf calms for the first time in weeks. I'm so aware of her wolf now, which is crazy because I've been close to her before and it was never like this.

Never.

I part my lips to say something, anything, but no words come out. Aria does the same. Goddess, she's stunning—the longer I stare at her, the surer I am of my feelings.

She's mine. And I'm not going to let her go.

Suddenly, the door be
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